Trump and Congress Accelerate Rare Earths Independence with $2.5 Billion Reserve Proposal
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 17 2026
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Twin-Track Policy: President Trump has instructed representatives to negotiate price floors for rare earths and consider tariffs on imports in response to a national security threat investigation initiated in 2025, highlighting the urgency of mineral independence.
- Strategic Reserve Bill: A bipartisan coalition in Congress is set to introduce the SECURE Minerals Act, establishing a $2.5 billion Strategic Resilience Reserve aimed at insulating the U.S. economy from price manipulation and supply shocks, reflecting the growing importance of critical minerals.
- MP Materials' Advantage: As the only integrated mine-to-magnet producer in the Western Hemisphere, MP Materials has secured hundreds of millions in government-backed investments and offtake agreements, solidifying its leadership position in the domestic rare earth sector.
- Government Support Accelerates Production: USA Rare Earth is a primary target for government support due to its Round Top deposit in Texas, with management accelerating production timelines to 2028 to align with the administration's emergency energy directives.
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Analyst Views on CRML
About CRML
Critical Metals Corp. is a mining development company. The Company is focused on mining critical metals and minerals and producing strategic products essential to electrification and technologies for Europe and its partners. Its flagship Project, Tanbreez, consists of rare earth deposits and is located in Southern Greenland. The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is located 270 km southwest of Vienna, in Austria’s Carinthia region. The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is a fully permitted mine in Europe and is strategically located with access to established road and rail infrastructure. With its strategic asset portfolio, the Company supplies critical minerals essential for defense applications, the clean energy transition, and technologies.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Critical Metals Stock Dips Below $10 Amid NATO Tensions
- Stock Volatility: Critical Metals (CRML) has seen its stock price dip below $10 after trading above $10 for over a month, opening at $10.50 today but currently down 8.3%, reflecting market unease about its future prospects.
- Market Reaction: Despite no negative news explaining the decline, investor anxiety is heightened by President Trump's aggressive rhetoric regarding Greenland's acquisition and NATO's military actions in the region, leading to a bearish market sentiment.
- Project Valuation: The Tanbreez Rare Earth Project, currently under development by Critical Metals, was assessed in March 2025 to have a before-tax net present value between $2.7 billion and $3.4 billion, indicating significant project potential, though geopolitical tensions may undermine investor confidence.
- Investor Alternatives: With Operation Arctic Sentry set to commence, conservative investors may prefer lower-risk rare earth investment opportunities like MP Materials stock to avoid the volatility associated with Critical Metals shares.
See More
NATO Conducts Military Exercises in Greenland Amid Tensions
- Stock Price Decline: Critical Metals (NASDAQ: CRML) has fallen back into single-digit territory after trading above $10 for over a month, opening at $10.50 today but currently trading below $10, reflecting an 8.3% drop that raises investor concerns about its future performance.
- Project Valuation: The Tanbreez Rare Earth Project being developed by Critical Metals has a preliminary economic assessment completed in March 2025 indicating a before-tax net present value between $2.7 billion and $3.4 billion, which continues to attract investor interest despite market volatility.
- NATO Military Operations: NATO has launched a new mission, Arctic Sentry, in Greenland to counter President Trump's aggressive stance on the territory's acquisition, with Sweden announcing the deployment of fighter jets and ground troops, indicating an increase in NATO's military presence in the region.
- Investment Recommendations: Despite the volatility surrounding Critical Metals, analysts suggest that conservative investors consider MP Materials as a lower-risk rare earth investment option, particularly in light of the current market uncertainties that may lead to a preference for more stable investment opportunities.
See More
Critical Metals Shares Surge 59% Year-to-Date Amid Strong Rare Earth Interest
- Strong Annual Performance: Critical Metals shares have surged nearly 59% year-to-date, positioning the company for its best annual performance ever, driven by soaring demand for rare earth mining and heightened interest from the Trump administration regarding Greenland.
- Significant Exploration Results: The company announced final assay results from its drilling program at the Tanbreez Rare Earths Project, revealing extensive mineralization potential in Area B, which is adjacent to the eastern margin of the Hill Zone Deposit.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite a more than 2% rise in overnight trading, sentiment has shifted from 'bearish' to 'extremely bearish' due to reports that the U.S. may reduce support for critical minerals companies, leading to a decline in retail message volumes.
- Increased Retail Interest: Retail message volumes about CRML on Stocktwits jumped over 23% in the last 24 hours, and the ticker saw a staggering 3,613% increase in followers over the past year, indicating sustained investor interest despite the bearish sentiment.
See More
Critical Metals Corp Announces 2025 Drilling Results at Tanbreez Project
- Significant Mineralization Potential: The 2025 drilling results from Area B at the Tanbreez project in Greenland indicate extensive mineralization potential, with TREO+Y grades ranging from 0.35% to 0.77% and heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) comprising approximately 25.7%, laying a strong foundation for future resource growth.
- Fjord Deposit Remains Open: Drilling results from the Fjord area confirm consistent near-surface mineralization with strong lateral and vertical continuity, expected to support a revised Mineral Resource Estimate and advance subsequent mine planning studies.
- Presence of Strategic Metals: The new results highlight the presence of strategic metals such as gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium, further reinforcing Tanbreez's status as a globally significant rare earth system with scale potential.
- Future Development Plans: The company is progressing extension and infill drilling programs for the 2026 field season, aimed at optimizing future pit designs and advancing Mineral Resource studies, thereby de-risking the project and positioning it for future development milestones.
See More
U.S. Senators Push to Expand Export-Import Bank Funding
- Funding Cap Increase: The proposed legislation aims to raise the Export-Import Bank's lending authority from $135 billion to $205 billion, facilitating larger financing support for U.S. companies in critical sectors like energy and mining, thereby enhancing their international competitiveness.
- Support for Strategic Industries: If passed, the bill will enable the Ex-Im Bank to underwrite larger deals, particularly for U.S. firms struggling to secure private financing, aligning with the Trump administration's strategy to bolster domestic firms in global markets.
- Reducing Dependence on China: This legislative push coincides with broader U.S. efforts to decrease reliance on China for essential raw materials, particularly in the rare earth metals sector, which is crucial for national security and supply chain stability.
- Mineral Stockpile Initiative: The Trump administration has launched a $12 billion mineral stockpile initiative, combining private investments with a $10 billion loan from the Ex-Im Bank to purchase and store minerals vital for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
See More
Critical Minerals Corp. Shares Surge 12.4% Amid Project Vault Announcement
- Strong Stock Performance: Critical Minerals Corp. (CRML) shares surged 12.4% on Tuesday to $2.56 per share, demonstrating resilience and investor confidence despite broader market declines.
- Demand Driven by Policy: The U.S. Department of the Interior's announcement to expand 'Project Vault' aims to increase stockpiles of critical materials, which is expected to directly boost demand for rare earths and lithium, potentially enhancing future revenue growth for the company.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Focused on rare earths in Greenland and lithium projects in Austria, Critical Minerals is projected to commence operations in 2028; while currently pre-revenue, future government purchases could significantly enhance its valuation.
- Investment Risk Advisory: Despite the promising outlook, the company remains in early development stages, prompting caution for investors, who may want to consider other mining stocks with existing operations to mitigate investment risks.
See More
Critical Metals Stock Dips Below $10 Amid NATO Tensions
- Stock Volatility: Critical Metals (CRML) has seen its stock price dip below $10 after trading above $10 for over a month, opening at $10.50 today but currently down 8.3%, reflecting market unease about its future prospects.
- Market Reaction: Despite no negative news explaining the decline, investor anxiety is heightened by President Trump's aggressive rhetoric regarding Greenland's acquisition and NATO's military actions in the region, leading to a bearish market sentiment.
- Project Valuation: The Tanbreez Rare Earth Project, currently under development by Critical Metals, was assessed in March 2025 to have a before-tax net present value between $2.7 billion and $3.4 billion, indicating significant project potential, though geopolitical tensions may undermine investor confidence.
- Investor Alternatives: With Operation Arctic Sentry set to commence, conservative investors may prefer lower-risk rare earth investment opportunities like MP Materials stock to avoid the volatility associated with Critical Metals shares.
See More
NATO Conducts Military Exercises in Greenland Amid Tensions
- Stock Price Decline: Critical Metals (NASDAQ: CRML) has fallen back into single-digit territory after trading above $10 for over a month, opening at $10.50 today but currently trading below $10, reflecting an 8.3% drop that raises investor concerns about its future performance.
- Project Valuation: The Tanbreez Rare Earth Project being developed by Critical Metals has a preliminary economic assessment completed in March 2025 indicating a before-tax net present value between $2.7 billion and $3.4 billion, which continues to attract investor interest despite market volatility.
- NATO Military Operations: NATO has launched a new mission, Arctic Sentry, in Greenland to counter President Trump's aggressive stance on the territory's acquisition, with Sweden announcing the deployment of fighter jets and ground troops, indicating an increase in NATO's military presence in the region.
- Investment Recommendations: Despite the volatility surrounding Critical Metals, analysts suggest that conservative investors consider MP Materials as a lower-risk rare earth investment option, particularly in light of the current market uncertainties that may lead to a preference for more stable investment opportunities.
See More
Critical Metals Shares Surge 59% Year-to-Date Amid Strong Rare Earth Interest
- Strong Annual Performance: Critical Metals shares have surged nearly 59% year-to-date, positioning the company for its best annual performance ever, driven by soaring demand for rare earth mining and heightened interest from the Trump administration regarding Greenland.
- Significant Exploration Results: The company announced final assay results from its drilling program at the Tanbreez Rare Earths Project, revealing extensive mineralization potential in Area B, which is adjacent to the eastern margin of the Hill Zone Deposit.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite a more than 2% rise in overnight trading, sentiment has shifted from 'bearish' to 'extremely bearish' due to reports that the U.S. may reduce support for critical minerals companies, leading to a decline in retail message volumes.
- Increased Retail Interest: Retail message volumes about CRML on Stocktwits jumped over 23% in the last 24 hours, and the ticker saw a staggering 3,613% increase in followers over the past year, indicating sustained investor interest despite the bearish sentiment.
See More
Critical Metals Corp Announces 2025 Drilling Results at Tanbreez Project
- Significant Mineralization Potential: The 2025 drilling results from Area B at the Tanbreez project in Greenland indicate extensive mineralization potential, with TREO+Y grades ranging from 0.35% to 0.77% and heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) comprising approximately 25.7%, laying a strong foundation for future resource growth.
- Fjord Deposit Remains Open: Drilling results from the Fjord area confirm consistent near-surface mineralization with strong lateral and vertical continuity, expected to support a revised Mineral Resource Estimate and advance subsequent mine planning studies.
- Presence of Strategic Metals: The new results highlight the presence of strategic metals such as gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium, further reinforcing Tanbreez's status as a globally significant rare earth system with scale potential.
- Future Development Plans: The company is progressing extension and infill drilling programs for the 2026 field season, aimed at optimizing future pit designs and advancing Mineral Resource studies, thereby de-risking the project and positioning it for future development milestones.
See More
U.S. Senators Push to Expand Export-Import Bank Funding
- Funding Cap Increase: The proposed legislation aims to raise the Export-Import Bank's lending authority from $135 billion to $205 billion, facilitating larger financing support for U.S. companies in critical sectors like energy and mining, thereby enhancing their international competitiveness.
- Support for Strategic Industries: If passed, the bill will enable the Ex-Im Bank to underwrite larger deals, particularly for U.S. firms struggling to secure private financing, aligning with the Trump administration's strategy to bolster domestic firms in global markets.
- Reducing Dependence on China: This legislative push coincides with broader U.S. efforts to decrease reliance on China for essential raw materials, particularly in the rare earth metals sector, which is crucial for national security and supply chain stability.
- Mineral Stockpile Initiative: The Trump administration has launched a $12 billion mineral stockpile initiative, combining private investments with a $10 billion loan from the Ex-Im Bank to purchase and store minerals vital for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
See More
Critical Minerals Corp. Shares Surge 12.4% Amid Project Vault Announcement
- Strong Stock Performance: Critical Minerals Corp. (CRML) shares surged 12.4% on Tuesday to $2.56 per share, demonstrating resilience and investor confidence despite broader market declines.
- Demand Driven by Policy: The U.S. Department of the Interior's announcement to expand 'Project Vault' aims to increase stockpiles of critical materials, which is expected to directly boost demand for rare earths and lithium, potentially enhancing future revenue growth for the company.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Focused on rare earths in Greenland and lithium projects in Austria, Critical Minerals is projected to commence operations in 2028; while currently pre-revenue, future government purchases could significantly enhance its valuation.
- Investment Risk Advisory: Despite the promising outlook, the company remains in early development stages, prompting caution for investors, who may want to consider other mining stocks with existing operations to mitigate investment risks.
See More
